Final answer:
Administrative regulations are policies or procedures that federal agencies develop to implement laws, acting much like statutes and allowing expert bureaucrats to detail the practical application of congressional legislation.
Step-by-step explanation:
“”Administrative regulations” is when federal agencies develop policies or procedures that implement laws and look like statutes. Once the broad framework and goals of new public policies are determined by legislative action, it falls upon the bureaucracies to put them into action. This rulemaking process often brings forth administrative regulations, which explain or enforce statutes. It is a form of delegated legislation that allows experts within federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Department of Education, to use their specialized knowledge to fill in the details for how laws will be applied and adhered to on a practical level. These regulations have the force of law and can be very detailed, giving specific guidance on issues that were not expounded upon in the original legislation.
For example, Congress may pass a law like the Clean Water Act mandating improved water quality, but leave the specifics of defining 'clean' or acceptable levels of pollutants to the EPA. This delegation provides the bureaucracy with discretion to interpret and enforce the law, subject to judicial review and consistency with the enabling statute. It is essential that these regulations undergo a transparent process that includes notice, opportunity for public comment, and potential for judicial review to ensure that they are in line with democratic values and do not overstep the agencies’ authority.